Hemmer for sewing-machines.



No. 682,874.. Patented Sept. I7,'I90l.

A. LAUBSCHER.

l-IEMMER FOB SEWING MACHINES.

(Application filed. Aug. 24', 1899.)

(No Model.)

3 Sheets-Sheet I.

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No. 682,874. Patntad Sept. l7, I901. A. LAUBSCHER.

HEMMER FOB SEWING MACHINES.

(Application filed Aug. 24, 1899.) (No'ModeL) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

AHMHLU WITNESSES /N VE N TOR A 7TORNEY TNE Nana's s-zrzns cc. PHOYO-LIYHO" WASHINGTON, u. c.

N0. 682,874. Patehted Sept. l7, [90L A. LAUBSCHER.

HEMMER FOR SEWING MACHINES.

(Application filed Aug. 24, 1899.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(No Model.)

WITNESSES IN VENTO/i A.L AUB8CHER BY r74? A TTOHNEY an PETERS co. mmmumou WASHINGTON, D. c

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALEXANDER LAUBSCHER, OF BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO THE WHEELER & WILSON MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

IC-IEMMER FOR SEWING-MACHINES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Fatent N 0. 682,874, dated September 17, 1901-.

Application filed August 24,1899.

fi o ttZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALEXANDER LAUB- SCH-ER, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Bridgeport, in the county of Fairfiel-d and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Hemmers for Sewing-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to hem mers for sewing-machines, and has for its object to provide a hemmer which may be readily thrown into or out of operative position without de i-aching from the machine, may be readily adjusted for different widths of hems,and so adjusted without changing the stitching edge of the folded hem in relation to the needle, as will be hereinafter 1nore fully explained. This object is attained by the device shown in the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

Figure l is a plan view of my improved hemmer complete; Fig. 2, a detail perspective view of the left-hand folder and its accompanying tongue in detached position; Fig. 3, an edge view as seen from the side toward the operator, showing the passage-w'ays'for the fabric; Fig. 4, a cross-section through the delivery ends of the folders, taken on the line x 00 of Fig. 1, showing the cloth in broken lines; Fig. 5, a side elevation lookingfrom the right hand of Fig. 1; Fig. 6, a longitudinal ver-' tical sectional elevation taken on the line y y of Fig. 1; Fig. 7, a bottom view of my im-' proved hemmer, the base-plate being partly broken away; Fig. 8, a detail perspective of the adjustable bracket upon which the clothfolders are mounted; and Figs. 9 and 10, detail plan views of the left-hand folder and right-hand folder, respectively.

As a foundation for my apparatus I use the base-plate shown at A and attach permanently thereto, by means of screws (1 a or otherwise, the pivoted bracket B. (Shown separately in Fig.8.) The bracket B consists of two members adjustably connected by means of the screw 1) and the pivotal screw 5 The screw 1) passes through a slot in the upper member for purposes of adjustment.

My apparatus embodies a pair of guides consisting of a plate 0 having an under- Serial No. 728,283. (No model.)

turned edge forming a folder for the passing fabric, an intervening tongue C and the necessary framework to support such members. This folder is supported on an overhanging arm C, which latter when in position is in turn permanently attached to the jointed bracket B by means of the screws 0 c. The extension C upon the arm C is for the purpose of stiffening the folder 0 and affording a proper support therefor. The plate C is practically an extension of the upper plate of the folder C and except for the space 0 overliesthe entire space between the two folders to hold down the overturned portion of the hem. Said plate 0 also projects in a plane over the plate or folder D so that the latter may be moved beneath said plate 0 to accommodate hems of various widths. The space 0, which is not wide enough to allow the cloth to emerge, is for theintroduction of the finger of the operator to advance the underturned edge of the hem to the needle in starting the work.

To the outer end of the arm C is attached by means of the screw 0 c a block carrying upon its under surface the tongue C which extends forward with one edge within the lips and in close proximity to the interior surface ofthe folder 0 and upon its upper side a screw-pin c or its equivalent to form a guideway for the arm D, hereinafter referred to.

For convenience I term the folder 0 and the intervening tongue 0* the left-hand guide and theircounterparts the right-hand guide. The left-h and guide (shown in Fig. 4) is the one which conducts the underturned edge of the hem to the needle. The right-hand guide'has also a plate D whose right-hand edge is overturned to form a folder and guideway for the fabric, which plate is attached to the supporting-arm D, having an extension D for the better support of said folder. The under limb of the plate D extends to the left as a support for the passing fabric. To the outer end of the arm D by means of screws ddis attacheda plate D ,whose tapering point extending in line with the right-hand edge serves as an intervening tongue for the folder D as does tongue 0* for folder C When so placed, it will be seen (best shown in Figs. 1 and 3) that the tongue 0 of the left-hand folder overlies and rests upon the plate D said tongue and plate serving together to support the fabric properly flattened between the two folders, which function is usually filled by a single plate, and hence suitable only for a single width of hem, but by my construction as these two members overlap the plate D is free to be carried to right or left with the overhanging arm D,thereby using for each width of hem only whatever portion of the right-hand edge of the plate D as is effective for the desired purpose. The holes in the outer end of the arm D, through which pass the screws (1 d, as also those in the outer end of the arm 0, through which pass the screws 0 c, are somewhat larger than the screws in order to permit of slight adjustment of plates C and D within their respective folders. I find this to be important in order to Vary the proximity of the tongue to the folders to suit varying conditions-that is, to make room for the free passage of thick fabrics and yet be able to narrow the passage-ways to obtain the desired accuracy on the finest offabrics. The right-hand guide, as now called, is by means of the thumb-screw E, which passes through the slot in the arm D, adjustably attached to the jointed bracket B, all as shown in Fig. 1'.

Over the space between the right and left hand guides I place a member for pressing lightly upon and smoothing out the fold of the unsewed clot-h as it approaches the needle. For convenience of construction I use a frame of wire for this purpose, and for Want of a better name will term it an auxiliary guide 1-1. This member is secured to the apparatus by the clam p-washer surrounding the adj usting-screw E, which is provided with a lip 71, curved to embrace and hold somewhat tightly by friction the wire I-I, all as shown in Fig. 1. The wire is bent at right angles near the lip h and again near its end, that its extremity may rest upon the arm D to determine the height of the angular extension at the other end and maintain it in correct operative po* sition. The other end is bent to form practically an oblong square to overlie and smooth down the passing hem while being stitched.

My apparatus is secured to the bed-plate of the sewing-machine by means of the pivotscrew G, passing through a hole in the baseplate A, and the stop-pin e, which depends from the front end of the latter, both of which enter suitable holes for their reception in the bed-plate of the machine. The conical coiled spring F surrounds the pivot-screw G to prevent by its pressure upon the plate A the displacement of the apparatus when either in or out of use. As thus attached the front end may be raised to disengage the stop-pin e and the apparatus readily turned upon the pivot-screw G to throw it out of operative position when not required for use. The position of the pivot-screw G and the stop-pin e are such that when applied to the sewingmachine the folder G which carries the uners C and D are flared at the entrance to facilitate the passage of the fabric and are narrowed at the point, as are also the inter vening tongues, to avoid contact with the Presser-foot of the machine.

The hammer may be given proper pitcher inclination by adjustment of the jointed bracket B before described. This adjust ability of the hemmer is found to be important to adapt it to fabrics of varying thickness and texture and also to facilitate its application to different machines.

To enter the fabric into the hemmer, the corner is passed between the plates D and D turned outward over the latter far enough to meet and be turned under by the folder.

0 when by means of the finger pressed into the slot 0 it may be advanced to the needle. The smoothing-plate H readily rises to allow the 'passage of the finger and is again depressed after the entrance of the fabric. To adjust the hemmer for different widths of hems, it is only necessary to loosen the screw E and by means of the overhanging arm D set the right-hand folder in desired position and retighten the set-screw.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a sewing-machine hemmer, the com bination of a suitably-supported base or bracket, the stationary or left-hand folder adapted to deliver the stitching edge of the hem, mounted on said base or bracket and 'provided with an intervening tongue around which the fabric is folded, with an adjustable slide or arm also secured on said base or bracket, independently of said left hand folder and tongue and adapted to overre'ach the latter, the right-hand folder carried by said adjustable slide, and a tongue secured to the latter at a point beyond said left-hand folder and tongue and adapted to cooperate with said right-hand folder, whereby the tongues of said right and left hand folders are overlapped, for the purpose set forth.

2. In a sewing-machine hemmer, the combination of a suitably-supported base or bracket, the overhanging arm 0 secured thereon and carrying at its outer end the stationary left-hand folder provided with an intervening tongue and adapted to deliver the stitching edge of the hem, with an adjustable slide or arm D operatively mounted adjacent to said overhanging arm 0 so as to overreach said left-hand folder and intervening tongue,

the right-hand folder carried by said arm D and secured thereto at a point intermediate of said left-hand folder and base, and a tongue secured to the extremity of said arm D beyond said left-hand folder and adapted to cooperate with said right-hand folder, whereby the tongues of said right and left hand folders are overlapped, for the purpose set forth.

3. In a sewing-machine hemmer, the combination of a suitably-supported base or bracket, the overhanging arm 0 secured thereon and carrying at its outer end the stationary left-hand folder provided with an intervening tongue and adapted to deliver the stitching edge of the hem, with an adjustable slide or arm D operatively mounted adjacent to said overhanging arm 0 so as to overreach said left-hand folder and tongue, the righthand folder carried by said arm D and secured thereto at a point intermediate of said left-hand folder and base, a tongue secured to the extremity of said arm D beyond said left-hand folder and adapted to cooperate -with said right-hand folder, whereby the tongues of said right and left hand folders are overlapped, and a guide-plateO carried by said overhanging arm Oby means of which the folded hem is held down andguided on its way to the stitch-forming mechanism, an opening of suitable width being left between said guide-plate O and said left-hand folder, for the purpose set forth.

4. In a sewing-machine hemmer, the combination of right and left hand folders, each provided with and carrying a tongue around which the fabric is folded, the overhanging arms to which said folders are respectively attached, a base-plate and a bracket mounted on said base-plate and having said overhanging arm secured thereto, said bracket being jointed and capable of vertical adjustment, whereby the delivery ends of said folders may be raised or lowered, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

5. In a sewing-machine hemmer, the com bination of right and left hand folders, each provided with and carrying a tongue around which the fabric is folded, the overhanging arms to which said folders are respectively attached, a base-plate, a bracket mounted on said base-plate and having said overhanging arms secured thereto, said bracket being formed of two sections jointed together and provided with means for vertically adjusting one of said sections with respect to the other, whereby the delivery ends of said folders may be raised or lowered, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

6. In a sewing-machine hemmer, the combination of a jointed bracket and means for vertically adjusting one of the sections of said bracket with respect to the other for the purpose specified, with the respective right and left hand folders operatively mountedon the adjustable section of said bracket, and means for securing the latter in operative position 'upon the bed-plate of a sewing-machine.

Signed at Bridgeport, in the county of Fair field and State of Connecticut, this 21st day of August, A. D. 1899, I I

ALEXANDER LAUBSOHER;

Witnesses:

A. STEWARD,

J. S. FINo'H.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 682,874, granted September 17, 1901, upon the application of Alexander Laubscher, of Bridgeport, Connecticut, for an improvement in Hemmers for Sewing-Machines, errors appear in the printed specification requiring correction, as follows: In lines 71 and 82, page 2, the Word hammer should read hammer; and in line 38, page 3, the Word arm should read arms; and that the said Letters Patent should be read With these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed, countersigned, and sealed this 1st day of October, A. 1)., 1901.

[SEAL] F. L. CAMPBELL,

Assistant Secretary of the Interior. Oountersigned E. B. MOORE,

Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

